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BIKE TO WORK ACT

Sat, 07/26/2014 - 14:12 — ub

News

Thousands of New Yorkers have already embraced the City’s bike share program as a viable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective form of public transportation. This is why US Congressman Bill Crowley is introducing legislation that further encourages participation in the program by making it more affordable for commuters.

Increased connectivity is fundamental to the growth and development of our city and it is imperative that we meet the needs of those communities that have long been under-served by transportation options. To do that, we need to ensure our city’s bike share program finally makes it.

Crowley’s legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code by including bike sharing systems as a means of public transportation, clearing the way for workers to use their commuter benefits for the program. Given how inexpensive bike sharing is, commuters will have the option to pair bike share with other forms of transit, greatly expanding mobility and improving access to existing transit systems. Currently, the city’s bike share program is only available in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Crowley’s Bike to Work Act has broad support from a variety of organizations, including the National League of Cities, the National Association of City Transportation Officials, the Association for Commuter Transportation, Transportation for America, Smart Growth America, Commuter Benefit Solutions, Wage Works, the League of American Bicyclists, Transportation Alternatives and a number of local advocacy groups around the country.